The Washington critic., 1887-10-24
WASHINGTON, OCTOBER "a, 1887.
THE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS.

THE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS.
Elsewhere in to.day's CRITIC will be
found expressions of opinion from
various parts Of the country relative to
the proper places for holding the next
National Conventions of the Demo.
cratic and Republican parties.
1t will be seen that while Washing
ton Is recognized as one Of the several
claimants for the honor. her claims,
with one or two exceptions. are ap.
parently not esteemed OF any great
force OF urgency.
The preferences Of the several sets of
local politicians who are interesting
themselves in the matter are of course
in favor Of their own localities
1t will also be observed that not
withs,anding the alleged unsuitable.
ness Of the National Capital for the
purpose indicated, not n solitary argu.
ment of any real strength, In political
point OF view, is advanced In behalf of
other competing cities.
II 1t were possible of guaranty that
the Democracy could carry the State
Of California in the next Presidential
election II the nominating convention
were held in San Francisco, such a
consideration would and should have
weight with the Democratic National
Committee. So would an assuranc,
that the electoral vote of Minnesota
could be had for the Democratic can.
didate If the Convention were to meet
In st. Paul, or that Massachusetts
could be rescued from Republican
control II 1t were 10 assemble In Boston.
II the Ohio Democracy were able to
pledge the electoral vote Of that great
and doubtful State to the Democratic
candidate, were the convention called
at Cincinnati or II the Illinois De-
mocracy could do the same thing in
that State were 1t called In Chicago;
these would also become determining
alternatives with the committee.
IL they were certain even of New
York, in consideration of the conven-
tlon being held at Saratoga, they could
hardly hesitate to make sure of the
Empire State by calling 1t there.
The trouble is that In the prevailing
murkiness of the political atmosphere,
and In view Of various new factors that
are to enter largely into the coming
contest, the Democracy of none of the
doubtful States can make pledges with
any definite certainty of their fulfill.
ment In this respect they all stand on
one level. Missouri alone of all the
States that are reaching out a long and
strong hand for the Convention, has an
unquestioned electoral vote to deliver,
but as Missouri is soldly Democratic In
any event, nothing is to be gained by
the holding of the National Convention
In st. Louis.
The fact Of the matter is that where
there is to be no contest over candi
dates the place of the meeting of the
convention is of little importance. On
the other hand, where there is con-
test locality may exercise an undue in.
tuence In one mans favor and to an.
other mans prejudice. AS for the in.
huence of place upon the popular vote
months after the conventions have ad.
journed, it cuts but q small figure
whether the candidate comes from
Illinois or New York, from Maine OF
California. What he might gain In one
direction Is more than likely to be
evened up by losses In another.
But all undue advantages accruinp
from one locality as opposed to another
all chances Of unequal pressure, al
opportunities for bolstering up loca
favorites-whatever they may amoun
to-would be obviated by holding tht
conventions on the neutral ground ol
the National Capital. In no other way
can the fight be made wholly free ant
fair 10 all parties. As for the influence
of the Administration 1t would no more
be felt In Washington than 1t would ir
Portland, Oregon.